Thyme2Thrive

05/06/2026

Recently I posted about common issues, such as diet, stress and medication that can affect your gut health. We know the health and function of your gut impacts everything, from digestion to mood, immunity and even skin health...
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𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁?
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Some of the most common signs and symptoms to look out for include:
⠀• Excessive bloating
⠀• Irregular bowel habits
⠀• Abdominal pain
⠀• Excessive gas
⠀• Acid reflux
⠀• Food intolerances
⠀• Fatigue
⠀• Anxiety or depression
⠀• Skin issues
⠀• Autoimmune disease
⠀• Poor immunity
⠀• Chronic inflammation
⠀• Nutrient deficiencies
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Many of these symptoms are often dismissed as “𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹” or unrelated, yet they can signal an underlying gut imbalance. Digestive dysfunction, microbial shifts, increased intestinal permeability and chronic low-grade inflammation don't always present with dramatic symptoms...𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙪𝙥 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨.
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Because the gut plays such a central role in immune regulation, nutrient absorption, inflammatory pathways and neurotransmitter production, ongoing disruption can influence far more than just digestion.
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If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to have them investigated with the help of a practitioner, this is something I support clients with regularly.

If you’re unsure where to begin, I offer free, no obligation 15-minute Nat Chats so you can ask questions and explore whether Naturopathy feels like the right approach for you.

31/05/2026

Sharing from my personal page for those not on there, as this is something worth paying attention to:
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Many people are aware of and actively avoid fluoride and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in toothpaste, but a recent independent investigation found high levels of heavy metals including 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘆 in a number of popular brands, including some that are 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 and are also 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻.
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Reducing toxic load where possible is one of the simplest preventative strategies you can implement, and something I can help with. If you’d like to know more about low-tox living, aren’t sure where to start, or need some support, feel free to reach out. See less

A recent independent investigation has found high levels of heavy metals such as mercury and lead in many popular toothpastes in the USA. Some of the same brands and products are available in Australia and other countries too. Some of the toothpastes include specific children’s branded products.

An independent laboratory tested 78 toothpastes for their ingredients and heavy metals levels (Lead Safe Mama, 2026). Most of them (90%) showed high levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium, or in some products, ALL of these heavy metals. Incredibly, the products with the highest lead levels included many children’s and toddler toothpastes! And most also had other heavy metals in them as well. Only 8 out of 78 toothpastes (approx. 10%) did not have lead. Other findings in this investigation – 65% of the toothpastes contained arsenic, 47% contained mercury, and 35% contained cadmium. This is massively concerning.

Hopefully the naming and shaming of these companies, and people sharing this information around can convince the manufacturers to do better testing of their products (especially if less people buy them now!), and help improve the health of the general public and our kids.

The chart of the tested toothpastes and their findings of heavy metals can be found here:

https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PDF-Lead-Safe-Mama-LLC-April-22-2025-Update-Toothpaste-Chart-Data.pdf

Even though there are alleged official “safe levels” of heavy metals and only amounts higher than the “safe levels” are said to be “high” and therefore are a problem, there are actually NO safe levels of these heavy metals! Heavy metals have a number of effects on your body including:

1. Nerve damage - many of the heavy metals such as mercury, lead, aluminium etc, are known as “neurotoxic” heavy metals, as they can affect the nervous system, nerves and brain, to affect mental health, moods and behaviours
2. Oxidative damage – The heavy metals cause a high level of oxidative stress and tissue damage in your body. Your brain is the most sensitive part of your body to this damage, hence why they can affect brain function, mental health, and moods and behaviours. Heavy metals can also damage other organs and tissues including the thyroid, liver or kidneys, immune system and more
3. Nutrient deficiencies – Heavy metals have antagonistic or opposing effects on many nutrients that your body needs, to replace them in metabolic functions, and push the necessary nutrients out of your body to cause chronic deficiencies and their related deficiency symptoms. For example, mercury causes nutrient deficiencies of copper, zinc, iron, selenium, sulphur, vitamin C and A
4. Accumulation – it’s very difficult for your body to naturally detoxify these heavy metals, so these levels can accumulate over time from repeated exposures, to cause ongoing and chronic and worsening symptoms over time.

This is why whenever I see patients with neurological conditions, mental health issues, behavioural problems, autism and ADHD conditions, or unexplained chronic nutrient deficiencies, I recommend that they get tested for heavy metals with a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test, which can report on a number of heavy metals, as well as the nutritional minerals found in the hair. This is a much more accurate test for heavy metals than blood or urine tests which are not useful at all.

If heavy metals are found in the HTMA test, then a specific detoxification protocol is needed to slowly and safely reduce the levels of the heavy metals. Each heavy metal needs a different and specific treatment. I’ve had a lot of experience with interpreting the HTMA test results and implementing a successful detox plan to reduce and clear these heavy metals, which has reduced the neurological and mental health symptoms and behavioural issues!

If you suspect heavy metals exposure or have chronic nutrient deficiencies or mental health issues, and would like to know more about heavy metals testing with an HTMA test, please comment below or message me for more information.

Heavy metals are not the only ingredient issue with toothpastes, but these will be topics for another article!

Stay healthy.

References:

Lead Safe Mama. (2026). Chart Comparing the Toxicant Profiles of Popular Toothpaste and Tooth Powder Products Tested by an Independent, Third-Party Lab in 2025. Retrieved 1st June 2026 from https://tamararubin.com/2025/01/toothpaste-chart/

30/05/2026

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30/05/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
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𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲.. A diet high in processed foods, sugar and saturated fats, and low in fibre and prebiotics can reduce bacterial richness and diversity within the gut microbiome. Over time, this shift can impair digestion, weaken immune function and contribute to systemic inflammation, which may lead to more serious health issues over time.
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𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. Chronic stress can impair digestive function by reducing stomach acid and digestive enzyme secretion, slowing motility and altering the gut-brain axis. This may contribute to dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability and the development of food sensitivities.
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𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, including NSAIDs, antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, can disrupt microbial balance and compromise gut integrity. Long-term or repeated use may increase the risk of dysbiosis, leaky gut and SIBO in susceptible individuals.
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Gut health is shaped by what you eat, how you manage stress and the medications you are exposed to over time, and the effects often accumulate gradually rather than just appear overnight.
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Understanding what may be impacting your gut is often the first step toward restoring a healthy balance and supporting optimal health. This is where targeted naturopathic support can be invaluable. ✨🌿

29/05/2026

The 'gut' refers to your whole digestive tract. It's a complex system and one that you rely on every single day.
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Unfortunately, digestive issues are becoming increasingly common which can be attributed to our modern fast-paced lifestyle and less-than-ideal food choices.
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One in five people will experience some kind of digestive discomfort or disorder. What's more, science has established a strong link between the state of your gut and your mental, immune, and hormonal health. Therefore when your gut isn't functioning properly, the rest of your body will suffer too.
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The gut does far more than break down food. It helps you absorb the nutrients you rely on, supports your immune system, regulates inflammation and even influences how you think and feel. When your gut is under strain, it rarely stays contained to the digestive system, which is why supporting it is about much more than easing bloating, reflux or irregular bowel habits. It is about supporting your whole body, every single day.

29/05/2026

Remember who you are...

29/05/2026

Glutathione, the master antioxidant plays a starring role in detox and helps protect the body from impacts of daily toxin exposure.

This is good to know – not just because toxins are unavoidable but because low glutathione is associated with increased oxidative stress and impaired detox capacity.

How can you promote glutathione status for daily detox? Clinical strategies include:

1. Ensuring adequate intake of amino acids for glutathione synthesis, especially glutamine, cysteine and glycine. Present in protein foods, these amino acids also support phase II detox.

2. Stimulating the production of glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes.

Broccoli and Turmeric are powerful plant compounds that activate glutathione-producing pathways to support daily detoxification. Phytonutrients, sulforaphane (from broccoli seed and sprout) and curcumin (from turmeric root) together

🥦 Increase antioxidant status

🫚 Support detoxification of environmental toxins

🥦 Promote effective toxin clearance via phase I and II detox processes

🫚 Protect liver and other cells from toxin-induced damage

Optimising your glutathione levels may help counter the effects of everyday environmental exposures and manage your toxic load. While dietary sources provide a good foundation, supplementing with these compounds at therapeutic doses can enhance antioxidant and detox potential.

Talk to your natural healthcare practitioner for more information or find a practitioner by visiting mediherb.com

28/05/2026

The mind is powerful. The way we speak to ourselves, think about ourselves, and view the world around us shapes more than we realise.
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Positive thoughts and affirmations aren’t about pretending life is perfect, they’re about gently shifting the nervous system out of survival mode and creating space for calm, hope, confidence, and growth.
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Change your mindset, and you slowly begin to change your world. ✨
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24/05/2026

A little bicarb, a little water and a smarter way to reduce what you didn’t order with your produce 🍏🥕🍓🥦

A baking soda soak (just one teaspoon per 16 ounces of cold water) can help reduce pesticide residues more effectively than rinsing alone. It's one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your kitchen routine.

Let your fruits and veggies soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse well. For leafy greens, a salad spinner makes the whole process quick and easy.

And here's something worth knowing: research shows most commercial produce cleaners are no more effective than plain water. So you can skip the fancy bottle. Baking soda is affordable, already in most kitchens, and works better!

24/05/2026

Stinging Nettle (𝘜𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘢) has a long tradition in Britain and across Europe as both a medicinal plant and a nourishing food, particularly among rural and lower-income communities.
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For centuries, it was gathered in early spring and added to soups, broths, stews and simple pottages not because it was fashionable, but because it was abundant, accessible and deeply nourishing.
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In times of hardship, including periods of food rationing during the World Wars and economic depression, nettle became an obvious choice. It grew wild and freely, was easy to prepare, and once wilted, its sting disappeared, leaving behind a mineral-rich green packed with iron, calcium, magnesium and chlorophyll.
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Although traditionally used to rebuild and restore strength after winter, when food was running low, nutrient intake limited, and the body depleted, stinging nettle earns its place in the Winter Wellness Series as a deeply nourishing and accessible plant. Instead of waiting until you're already run-down, nettle can be used before, during and after winter to help maintain mineral status and support the body through seasonal stress.
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Nettle leaf is also widely used in preparation for spring, particularly in those prone to seasonal allergies. When taken ahead of pollen season, it may help moderate inflammatory responses and dampen the intensity of allergic symptoms, offering gentle immune modulation rather than suppression. For those moving into spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, this is also an ideal time to harvest, dry and store nettle, preserving its mineral-rich leaves for use throughout the year, including the colder months ahead.
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Once relied upon during times of scarcity for its mineral density and restorative qualities, nettle remains just as relevant today, as a simple, affordable way for us downunder to strengthen our natural defences before winter fully sets in.
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